Megumu Gomi, left, and his wife, Megumi, pose outside D-13, a cafe they founded in an old flat house used as service member housing near Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)
The aroma of coffee, curry and baked goods emanate from a vine-covered and historic flat house just a five-minute walk from the main gate at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.
Named after its original U.S. military housing unit address, Cafe D-13 is a renovated structure that was used as military family housing in the 1950s and 1960s. Uncovering this time capsule feels like discovering a speakeasy, and the sense that one is let in on a secret. The only indicator of its existence is a small, faded and easily overlooked wooden sign.
“When I was looking for a house to renovate for a shop, I came across D-13 and thought it would make a great coffee shop,” said co-owner Megumu Gomi. “I think Fussa is a city with wonderful diversity and culture that simultaneously feels Japanese, yet not Japanese.”
Megumu Gomi, co-owner of Cafe D-13, makes a latte in his shop near Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)
Tucked into a neighborhood immediately adjacent to the air base, the leafy green cafe is surrounded by several other historical U.S. military flat houses but distinguishes itself by its Instagram-worthy photo appeal.
Once inside, the coffee bar proudly displays a beautiful Italian espresso machine and all the coffee making tools required of a master barista. The classic wood-finished interior, black pellet stove, reading nook with built-in bookshelves, two cozy rooms with seating, and displayed baked goods combine to create a soothing atmosphere perfect for sipping coffee over a book or quietly chatting with a friend.
Cafe D-13's wood-finished interior, black pellet stove, reading nook, cozy rooms with seating, and displayed baked goods create a soothing atmosphere perfect for sipping coffee over a book or quietly chatting with a friend. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)
With an assortment of beans from around the world and eight years of experience, Megumu, who operates the cafe with his wife, Megumi, masterfully serves pour-over-filtered coffee and espresso-based drinks, complete with skillful latte art, that are easily the best in the area. Their menu boasts an adequately refined selection of drinks to include oat milk options for the lactose intolerant as well as noncaffeinated drinks.
“Before I started my own shop, I was working at a company and often went to coffee shops where I fell in love with coffee, so I wanted to open my own shop,” said Megumu. “I make coffee every day, hoping the people who come to D-13 can enjoy delicious coffee. That’s the source of my passion.”
Cafe D-13 in western Tokyo offers a selection of espresso-based, and filtered, pour-over coffee drinks as well as a small selection of non-caffeinated drinks, baked goods and food. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)
The menu, equally refined, offers a variety of baked goods, toast and quiche, as well as two Indian curries that are all expertly presented and equally delicious. The Keema curry is set, but the quiche and a second curry vary from day to day.
If you’re looking for a great coffee, good food and a peaceful reprieve, Cafe D-13 won’t disappoint.
“Many customers who work at Yokota Air Base, as well as people from the U.S. and other countries come, so it’s interesting to hear stories and culture from overseas,” Megumu said. “I’m at the store almost every day, and just listening to their stories makes me feel like I’ve traveled to different places around the world.”
Cafe D-13's wood-finished interior, black pellet stove, reading nook, cozy rooms with seating, and displayed baked goods create a soothing atmosphere perfect for sipping coffee over a book or quietly chatting with a friend. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)
Just minutes away from the main gate of Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Cafe D-13 offers great coffee, baked goods, curry and quiche. (Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes)
Location: 2219-4 Fussa, Tokyo, 197-0011
Hours: Open daily, except Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices: Drinks range from $3 to $5, and food is $3 to $8.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A short walk from Yokota Air Base’s main gate, but the shop has two parking spaces available.
Information: instagram.com/cafe_d13
